Body: | What is Bible Grace?
A failure to understand the grace of God with regard to the salvation of
man has been fatal to many persons. There are those who believe that God in
His mercy and grace will not permit anyone to be lost; consequently, they
feel no need for seeking salvation. It is true that the most joyous thought
a convicted sinner can have is that God has offered to give him salvation.
It is necessary, however, for us to understand just how one is saved by the
grace of God. By definition, grace is unmerited favor. God looked upon man
as he had sinned and as he was with out hope in the world. Although man did
not deserve it, God formulated a plan whereby man could be saved from his
lost condition. Jesus expressed this in these words, "For God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him
should not perish but have everlasting life" (John, Chapter 3, verse 16).
Thus, man has access to the grace of God through Jesus Christ. In Romans,
Chapter 5, verses 1,2, the Apostle Paul declared, "Therefore being
justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope in the glory of God". In order for us to be the recipients
of the grace of God which comes through Jesus Christ, it is necessary for
us to know exactly how grace saves us. In Ephesians, Chapter 2, verses 8,9,
Paul declared, "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast".
Here, we learn that in salvation both God and man have a part. God's part
is to provide a way of salvation, or a means whereby man can be saved; this
he does by His grace. Man's part is to accept the salvation which God so
freely offers and this is done through faith.
Man believes in God and then accepts the conditions of salvation which are
set forth in the scriptures. Faith saves when faith obeys. In Hebrews,
Chapter 11, verse 30, we read, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they were compassed about seven days". The walls of Jericho fell by
faith because Joshua believed what God said and obeyed his command. In the
same way, our faith must cause us to obey what God tells us to do.
It is pointed out, however, that Paul declared in Ephesians, Chapter 2,
verse 9, "Not of works lest any man should boast". It is true that no man
can save himself by his own works, but he must work according to God's plan
in order to be saved. We are told in Philippians, Chapter 2, and the last
part of verse 12, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".
Also, James states in James, Chapter 2, verse 24, "Ye see then that by
works a man is justified and not by faith only". It is interesting to note
that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord according to Genesis, Chapter
6, verse 8, but that Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 7, says "By faith Noah
being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an
ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became
heir of the righteousness which is by faith". Noah was saved by the grace
of God, through faith on his part which prompted him to obey God's
commands. A person may be saved from his sins by the grace of God when he
believes what God says and when he obeys the Gospel which is God's power
unto salvation. Romans, Chapter 1, verse 16.
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